Gas prices have topped $6 in LA as California continues to lead the nation in expensive fuel

• Gas prices in LA have topped $6 for a gallon of regular, according to both AAA and GasBuddy.
• California leads with the most-expensive gas at $5.90, compared with $4.24 for the US overall.

Gas prices continue to climb for US drivers, and no state is seeing higher prices than California.

The Golden State leads the nation with the most expensive gas at $5.90 per gallon of regular on average, compared with $4.24 for the US overall, according to price trackers from both AAA and GasBuddy.

In LA meanwhile, prices are climbing even higher.

The average price in LA County topped $6 for regular, with some stations reportedly charging $7 or more. Mono County on the border with Nevada had the highest average price in the state with $6.64, according to AAA.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a proposal that would give California drivers $400 debit cards for gas to offset the energy impact of Russia's invasion into Ukraine.

Newsom's proposal would also provide funding for Californians to access transit and rail agencies for free for three months.

Although the US is now a net producer of oil and gas, 8% of its imports come from Russia, and about half of those Russian imports ordinarily go to refineries on the west coast of the US.

That means the sudden loss of Russian oil — in addition to driving up global prices — adds a further squeeze on California's already-high price of gas.

Some shoppers are even signing up for memberships at wholesale clubs like Sam's Club and Costco, saying that the savings on gas would easily pay for the $60 membership cost.